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Literary
September 27, 1806
Herald Of The United States
Warren, Bristol County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
A meditative essay on mortality, contemplating tombs and the death of ancestors to urge spiritual preparation through Christian living, righteousness, and humility in the face of inevitable death.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
SOLEMN REFLECTIONS.
"O Our Fathers, Where are they ?"
HOW many solemn ideas, affectionate and profound, do the silent tombs yield to the mind which contemplates them with gravity and consults them with seriousness. When we reflect that it is the house prepared for all the living ; when we consider that numbers younger than ourselves now moulder in the dust ; that some of our own families, our nearest and dearest connexions, have made their exit from this vale of tears, and bring to mind the incertitude of earthly enjoyments, that we know not what a day or an hour will bring forth, what awful impressions crowd in upon our minds ; awful because hostile to our wishes, and corrode our guilty consciences ; awful because we are unprepared to meet at the tribunal of heaven, and be weighed at the gates of eternity ; awful, because we see our folly in neglecting to improve our privileges until the setting sun of life.
Our Fathers, Where are they ? We have followed them to the grave, we have committed them to the bowels of the earth, they have taken their subterraneous passage to eternity : and the places which once knew them, know them no more forever. Where are the living ? going down the rapid tide of time, and according to the invariable laws of nature, must soon sleep in dust. Do not these considerations suggest a necessity of preparation ? Can any harm accrue from having our lamps trimmed and burning, ready for our departure hence ? If not, let us establish our principles and conduct by the rules of Christianity, let the criterion of our actions be in consonance with the oracles of truth, which require us to renounce all unwillingness and cupidity, and to live righteously and soberly, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly in the world. Let him who vaunteth in his youth, his strength, activity, and prospect of long life, go to the silent tombs and learn that the monster death is ambitious and insatiate, and discriminates not between young and old, but elects his victims from every age, from every rank and condition in life.
"O Our Fathers, Where are they ?"
HOW many solemn ideas, affectionate and profound, do the silent tombs yield to the mind which contemplates them with gravity and consults them with seriousness. When we reflect that it is the house prepared for all the living ; when we consider that numbers younger than ourselves now moulder in the dust ; that some of our own families, our nearest and dearest connexions, have made their exit from this vale of tears, and bring to mind the incertitude of earthly enjoyments, that we know not what a day or an hour will bring forth, what awful impressions crowd in upon our minds ; awful because hostile to our wishes, and corrode our guilty consciences ; awful because we are unprepared to meet at the tribunal of heaven, and be weighed at the gates of eternity ; awful, because we see our folly in neglecting to improve our privileges until the setting sun of life.
Our Fathers, Where are they ? We have followed them to the grave, we have committed them to the bowels of the earth, they have taken their subterraneous passage to eternity : and the places which once knew them, know them no more forever. Where are the living ? going down the rapid tide of time, and according to the invariable laws of nature, must soon sleep in dust. Do not these considerations suggest a necessity of preparation ? Can any harm accrue from having our lamps trimmed and burning, ready for our departure hence ? If not, let us establish our principles and conduct by the rules of Christianity, let the criterion of our actions be in consonance with the oracles of truth, which require us to renounce all unwillingness and cupidity, and to live righteously and soberly, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly in the world. Let him who vaunteth in his youth, his strength, activity, and prospect of long life, go to the silent tombs and learn that the monster death is ambitious and insatiate, and discriminates not between young and old, but elects his victims from every age, from every rank and condition in life.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Death Mortality
Moral Virtue
Religious
What keywords are associated?
Mortality
Tombs
Death Preparation
Christian Morality
Spiritual Reflection
Eternity
Righteous Living
Literary Details
Title
Solemn Reflections. "O Our Fathers, Where Are They ?"
Subject
Reflections On Tombs, Mortality, And Christian Preparation
Key Lines
"O Our Fathers, Where Are They ?"
Our Fathers, Where Are They ? We Have Followed Them To The Grave, We Have Committed Them To The Bowels Of The Earth, They Have Taken Their Subterraneous Passage To Eternity : And The Places Which Once Knew Them, Know Them No More Forever.
Do Not These Considerations Suggest A Necessity Of Preparation ? Can Any Harm Accrue From Having Our Lamps Trimmed And Burning, Ready For Our Departure Hence ?
Let Us Establish Our Principles And Conduct By The Rules Of Christianity, Let The Criterion Of Our Actions Be In Consonance With The Oracles Of Truth, Which Require Us To Renounce All Unwillingness And Cupidity, And To Live Righteously And Soberly, To Do Justice, To Love Mercy, And To Walk Humbly In The World.
Let Him Who Vaunteth In His Youth, His Strength, Activity, And Prospect Of Long Life, Go To The Silent Tombs And Learn That The Monster Death Is Ambitious And Insatiate, And Discriminates Not Between Young And Old, But Elects His Victims From Every Age, From Every Rank And Condition In Life.